Geranium plant named `BFP-1328 Red`

ABSTRACT

The new and distinct Pelargonium×hortorum cultivar named `BFP-1328 Red` is provided.This new Zonal Geranium was the result of a controlled breeding program wherein a plant designated 6583-52 (non-patented in the United States) was crossed. More specifically, 6583-52 served as both the female parent and the male parent. The new cultivar forms attractive velvety semi-double intense red florets. The medium green foliage with zonation is well retained during shipment. The growth habit is vigorous self-branching and does not require the use of a growth regulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Geranium cultivar,botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum Bailey, and hereinafter isreferred to by the cultivar name `BFP-1328 Red`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program which hadthe objective of the creation of a Geranium cultivar that exhibitsuniform flowers, medium green foliage, a vigorous self-branching growthhabit that requires no growth regulator, a propensity for rapid rooting,and stable foliage coloration during shipment.

The breeding program that resulted in the production of the new cultivarof the present invention was carried out in a controlled environmentduring 1993 at Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A. A plant designated 6583-52(non-patented in the United States) served as both the female parent andthe male parent and exhibited semi-double dark red florets and darkgreen foliage. The parentage of the new `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar can besummarized as follows:

    6583-52×6583-52.

`BFP-1328 Red` was discovered and selected during 1993 as a highlydistinctive flowering plant from among the progeny of the stated crossat Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A. This plant was initially designatedBFP-1328.

It was found that the new cultivar of the present invention:

(a) exhibits attractive semi-double velvety intense red florets,

(b) forms attractive medium green foliage with zonation, and

(c) exhibits a vigorous self-branching growth habit in the absence of agrowth regulator.

After senescence the flowers abscise and drop. To date, observations ofthe new `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar have not demonstrated resistance toBotrytis or any other specific disease.

The first act of asexual reproduction of the `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar wasaccomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initialselection in a controlled environment at Arroyo Grande, Calif., U.S.A.,by a technician working under the direction and supervision of theoriginator of the new cultivar. Horitcultural examination of plantsresulting from such asexual propagation during 1994 has demonstratedthat the combination of unique characteristics as herein described forthe `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar is fixed and is retained through successivegenerations of such asexual reproduction.

The new `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. Accordingly, the described phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length.

Of the many commercial cultivars, the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,219) is considered to be the most similar to thenew cultivar of the present invention. When the new cultivar of thepresent invention is compared to the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar, itis found that the `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar exhibits larger umbels (e.g.,approximately 9 to 11 cm. vs. approximately 8.7 to 9 cm.), longerpedicels (e.g., approximately 3.2 to 4 cm. vs. approximately 2.6 to 2.9cm.), larger florets (e.g., approximately 4.4 to 5.2 cm. vs.approximately 4 to 4.5 cm.), fewer florets per umbel (e.g.,approximately 21 to 27 vs. approximately 39 to 41), a less vigorousgrowth habit (e.g., a plant height of approximately 18 to 22 cm. vs.approximately 28 to 29 cm.), and larger leaves.

The internode length is less and the blossom coloration of the new`BFP-1328 Red` cultivar is different, than such characteristics of eachof the cultivars discussed hereafter.

When compared to the `BFP-788 Bright Scarlet` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,551), it is found that `BFP-788 Bright Scarlet` commonly formslarger umbels (e.g., approximately 10 to 12 cm.×7 to 10 cm. vs.approximately 9 to 11 cm.×6 to 7 cm.). Also, the peduncles of `BFP-788Bright Scarlet` tend to be longer (e.g., approximately 16 to 21 cm. vs.approximately 13 to 14.5 cm.), and the leaves are not zoned.

When compared to the `BFP-838 Dark Red` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,544), it is found that the `BFP-838 Dark Red` cultivar has asignificantly more vigorous growth habit (e.g., a height ofapproximately 24 to 30 cm. vs. a height of approximately 18 to 22 cm.).

When compared to the `BFP-901 Bright Red` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,535), it is found that the `BFP-901 Bright Red` cultivar has asignificantly more vigorous growth habit (e.g., a height ofapproximately 26 to 32 cm. vs. a height of approximately 18 to 22 cm.).

When compared to the `Rena` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,571), it isfound that the `Rena` cultivar commonly forms shorter umbels(approximately 5.4 to 5.6 cm. vs. approximately 6 to 7 cm.), longerpeduncles (e.g., approximately 16 to 17 cm. vs. approximately 13 to 14.5cm.), and more florets per umbel (e.g., approximately 35 vs.approximately 21 to 27).

When compared to the `Faro` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,489), it isfound that the `Faro` cultivar commonly forms more florets per umbel(e.g., approximately 38 approximately 21 to 27).

When compared to the `Morella` cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,496), itis found that the `Morella` cultivar commonly exhibits shorter umbels(e.g., approximately 4.6 to 4.8 cm. vs. approximately 6 to 7 cm.), andmore florets per umbel (e.g., approximately 38 vs. approximately 21 to27).

The new cultivar of the present invention is being marketed under theDesigner trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows the new `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar withcolors being as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in a color illustration of this character. The plant was beinggrown in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. The generalappearance of the overall plant including the flower and foliagecharacteristics is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in greenhouses located at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., underconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. In the following description, color references are made to theR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.The color values were determined on September 22nd, under natural lightconditions of 200 footcandles.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×hortorum Bailey, cv. `BFP-1328 Red`.

Commercial.--Zonal Geranium.

Inflorescence

A. Umbel:

Average diameter.--Approximately 9 to 11 cm. compared to approximately8.7 to 9 cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Average depth.--Approximately 6 to 7 cm. compared to approximately 6 to6.3 cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Peduncle length.--Approximately 13 to 14.5 cm. compared to approximately14 to 17 cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Pedicel length.--Approximately 3.2 to 4 cm. compared to approximately2.6 to 2.9 cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Number of umbels/plant.--When grown in a 10 cm. pot at 9 weeks after thesticking of a rooted cutting, there commonly are approximately 4 to 5umbels per plant. The `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar also commonly formsapproximately 3 to 5 umbels per plant.

Number of florets/umbel.--When grown in 10 cm. pots at 9 weeks,approximately 21 to 27 florets per umbel commonly are formed. Thiscompares to approximately 39 to 41 florets per umbel for the `BFP-420Bright Red` cultivar under the same growing conditions.

B. Corolla:

Buds.--Round in configuration, bright red, Red Group 43A in coloration,and approximately 3 to 4 mm. in diameter.

Pedicels.--Commonly approximately 3.2 to 4 cm. in length.

Average Diameter.--Approximately 4.4 to 5.2 cm. compared toapproximately 4 to 4.5 cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Form.--Both the `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar and the `BFP-420 Bright Red`cultivar are semi-double with petaloids.

Petals.--Spatulate shaped, velvety, and smooth. Commonly approximately 5to 9 petals are present per floret.

Number of petaloids.--The `BFP-1328 Red` cultivar commonly possessesapproximately 3 to 6 petaloids per floret. This can be compared toapproximately 2 to 4 petaloids per plant for the `BFP-420 Bright Red`cultivar.

Color.--General tonality from a distance of three meters: Bright red.Adaxial: Red Group 45B. This compares to Red Group 44A for the `BFP-420Bright Red` cultivar. Abaxial: Red Group 44B. This compares to Red Group43B for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

C. Reproductive organs;

Androecium.--The anthers are commonly approximately 2.5 mm. in length.The pollen color is Orange Group 28A for both the `BFP-1328 Red`cultivar and the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar. The filaments areapproximately 6 to 8 mm. in length.

Gynoecium.--The pistil length commonly is approximately 11 mm. There isa single stigma which commonly has a length of approximately 6 mm. whichcommonly branches into 5 parts, and the style length is approximately 3mm.

Fertility.--Commonly does not produce fruits in the absence ofmechanical fertilization.

D. Spring flowering response period: Approximately 6 to 7 weeks fromrooted cuttings under standard greenhouse conditions.

E. Outdoor flower production: Freely flowering under outdoor growingconditions with substantially continous blooming.

F. Durability: Ships well.

Plant

A. Foliage: Medium green with zonation. The leaves are thin andpuberulent.

Form.--Reniform, with a cordate base.

Margin.--Bi-crenate.

Color.--Adaxial: Green Group 143A at the center approximately one-thirdof the leaf and Green Group 143B at the remainder. This compares toYellow-Green Group 146A for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar. Abaxial:Green Group 143B. This compares to Yellow-Green Group 147B for the`BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

Size.--Approximately 9.2 to 10.4 cm in width at the widest point andapproximately 7.9 to 9.3 cm. in length. This compares to approximately8.6 to 9.2 cm. in width at the widest point and approximately 7.4 to 7.5cm in length for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--Commonly varies from approximately 0.6 to 1.5 cm.This compares to approximately 0.8 to 1.3 cm. for the `BFP-420 BrightRed` cultivar.

Branching pattern.--Freely basal branching. No pinching is required toobtain self-branching. A vigorous self-branching growth habit isobserved in the absence of a growth regulator.

Petioles.--Commonly approximately 3.3 to 4.1 cm. in length.

Height.--Approximately 18 to 22 cm. above a 10 cm. pot at 9 weeks understandard greenhouse condiitons. This compares to approximately 28 to 29cm. for the `BFP-420 Bright Red` cultivar.

I claim;
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named`BFP-1328 Red`, substantially as herein shown and described, which:(a)exhibits attractive semi-double velvety intense red florets, (b) formsattractive medium green foliage with zonation, and (c) exhibits avigorous self-branching growth habit in the absence of a growthregulator.